Newcastle United supporters will be hoping that a few of the club’s injured players will be in line to return following the international break. The Magpies have struggled with injuries in recent weeks but welcomed a handful back into the team in the narrow defeat at Everton.
Joe Willock and Joelinton both returned to the starting XI for the trip to Goodison Park after missing out in the similarly tight loss at Chelsea just a few days before. However, several of their teammates remain out of contention with a host of injuries which will hopefully have healed when the Magpies return to action in early April.
We have taken a look at the members of Eddie Howe’s squad who are still injured and the timeframe they will be looking at for a return.
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Jonjo Shelvey – Illness
As Willock and Joelinton returned on Merseyside, it was too early for their midfield partner Jonjo Shelvey who missed both of the 1-0 defeats. As the reason for his unavailability was an illness, it is highly likely he will be back in the squad for the visit to North London after the international break.
Potential return date: 03/04/22 vs Tottenham
What Howe said (16/03/22): “With Jonjo, we're waiting to see. He hasn't trained yet so he's a bigger concern."
Federico Fernandez – Oblique
Federico Fernandez has largely had a season to forget with injuries and a lack of involvement even when he was fit earlier in the campaign. Although, it does seem as though he will be available to help out for United during the run-in between now and May with Howe confirming, earlier this month, that his current issue is nothing serious.
Potential return date: 03/04/22 vs Tottenham
What Howe said (09/03/22): "Fede picked up a very slight side strain. We don’t think it’s serious. It’ll keep him out for a week to 10 days."
Callum Wilson – Calf
Like Fernandez, Callum Wilson’s season has, unsurprisingly, been plagued by injuries just as he was starting to have a real impact for United. He last played in the 1-1 draw with Manchester United at St James’ Park, the game in which he sustained the current injury that has kept him out ever since.
On Thursday’s episode of the Footballer’s Football Podcast, which he hosts with Michail Antonio, Wilson confirmed it won’t be long before he is back out on the training pitches, therefore a full return shouldn’t be too far away.
Potential return date: 17/04/22 vs Leicester
What Wilson said (16/03/22): "Should be out on the pitches very soon which would be good. And then that way you know you’re very close to a return but I can’t really give you a firm update as to when I’ll be back as I still don’t know."
Kieran Trippier – Foot
Magpies supporters were gutted to hear that Kieran Trippier would be out for an extended period of time after he had such an immediate major influence on the squad following his move from Atletico Madrid. Howe is hoping to have the England right-back fully fit before the end of the season although the date of his return is not yet known.
Potential return date: Unknown
What Howe said (18/02/22): "He had his operation yesterday and that went well so that was good news. We aim to have him back before the end of the season but it's a significant injury which is a big blow for us."
Jamal Lewis – Groin
It has been a tough campaign for Jamal Lewis for a number of reasons and the latest of those is the groin problem that has left him touch-and-go as to whether he will be back before the end of the season. Howe confirmed that he has been to see a specialist about the injury and whether surgery was required remains to be seen.
Potential return date: Unknown
What Howe said (09/03/22): "He's in Germany getting assessed and looked at by a groin specialist. He's had this problem now for over a year and we haven't quite fixed it for him. He might well be operated on in the next few days."
